Background Introduction:
Since China's reform and opening up, the Chinese economy has been developing rapidly and, generally, peoples' lives have greatly improved. Young people who were born after 1980 have became a noticeable force in shaping the new, modern China.
As more and more "after 80s" are entering the workforce, this new generation of Chinese is beginning to make their mark, constituting the face of contemporary China. Jongo has interviewed several of the "after-80s," asking them about their lives, jobs, hopes and dreams.
People Information:
*Ji Qiang comes from Yibin, Sichuan province. He came to Shanghai after graduation and found his dream job working in a film and animation studio.
*Liu Xiaobin hails from Chaozhou, Guangdong province. He specializes in multi-media production in Shanghai. His creative mind has enabled him to achieve great things in his field.
*Xie Fuxin is from Nanyang, Henan province. He grew up in a rural area and began his new life as photographer in the amazing metropolis of Shanghai.
Click here to watch: The After-80s Generation (2) - Loves, Hopes and Dreams
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Attracted by Shanghai's recent prosperity, Xiang Jingshou, a 40-year-old Chinese from North Jiangsu Province.
(Ji Qiang) 
(Liu Xiaobin) 
(Xie Fuxin)
- Jongo: Are you under great pressure in life?
- Ji: Yes, I am under great pressure. I have to realize my ambitions.
- Xie: There are three children in my family. I am the second child and my younger brother studies at university now. My parents are getting old. I have to give financial aid to my family and pay off my education loan. I'll have a lot of pressure if I plan to buy a house in Shanghai.
- Liu: In my leisure time, I cook at my friend's house. Now my favorite thing is to watch TV in bed.
- Jongo: Do you like Shanghai?
- Ji: I don't like Shanghai, but there're things here that other places don't have. Shanghai is a modern city and a lot of exhibitions are held here. I learn more in Shanghai than in other places.
- Jongo: Could you talk about your work?
- Xie: When I graduated from university, job-hunting was fresh to me. In the beginning I was lost but later my goals seemed clearer and clearer. It's been two years since I began my first job. I have set up my goals. I think there'll be little standing room for me in Shanghai if I only rely on my present job, so I want to develop my own career.
- Liu: I've learned a lot from my job, especially my first one. I am responsible for the post production of movies. As for myself, I'd like to spend time on multi-media projects including automatic control projects.
- Jongo: Could you tell us a bit about yourself?
- Ji: Firstly, I think one has to have a plan about what to do and how to realize their dreams. I've been doing things according to my plan.
- Xie: I didn't give my future a second thought when I graduated from university. Now I think I should be down to earth and accumulate experience step by step. Your skills will be discovered when you acquire them.
- Liu: I don't know what others think about me. My Mom takes great care of me. My working performance is OK. I think I am an independent person. Until now I haven't done something I am very proud of, but I'd rather do it from scratch.
- Jongo: What do you think of the "after-80s" generation?
- Ji: All parents love their children. Their love just differs in terms of ways and degree. The "after-80s" are said to be a useless generation, but I don't think that is true. Among the after-80s, there're also celebrities and extremely successful people. I also admit though that our generation hasn't gone through enough hardships.
- Xie: The after-80s generation are mostly only children in their family. I come from a rural area. Though I was born after 1980, I share a lot with the after-70s generation. Most after-80s people are independent but I feel that they are a bit selfish and seek too much individuality.
- Jongo: What do you think of the after-80s' view of love? What kind of girl do you see yourself with?
- Xie: The after-80s generation seems lost in their pursuit of love. Modern girls are more and more materialism-oriented. I only earn about three or four thousand RMB per month. Girls may temporarily not want a house and a private car but the bottom line is that they expect your salary to be twice or higher than theirs.
- Ji: I will definitely go back to Sichuan to find a girlfriend. I hate Shanghainese girls. They are not obedient and very mean. I've never met a Shanghai girl I liked since I came here.
- Liu: It's everywhere. We cannot say all Shanghainese girls are bad. I believe in destiny. Usually love comes quite unexpectedly.
- Xie: I have been with Sichuan girls since I was a student. I feel good being with them. They're all good-tempered. Just my type!
- Jongo: What's your dream?
- Ji: I hope I could have time to go fishing regularly. It'll be a great state of mind. If one gets old and achieves a lot and he still feels like fishing quietly, I think he's a great person.
- Liu: Eating, drinking, sleeping. I hope I am rich and have fun whenever I want. This is my dream. It sounds reasonable, though a bit funny.
- Xie: I want to be a boss and a millionaire. Practically speaking, I hope I have a cozy family, a decent job and have time to develop my hobbies. For instance, I love taking pictures. I would like to run a photography studio and develop chain studios one by one.